Aw, shucks! Mills River hosts Sweet Corn Festival

Richmond, left, and Delores Meadows enjoy some corn during the first Mills River Sweet Corn Festival Saturday at Mills River Community Center. Festival goers enjoyed music, food and games. Proceeds benefit the Mills River Community Development Association, officials said.

Published: Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 6:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 6:27 p.m.

MILLS RIVER -- With 15 bushels of corn and dishes filled to the brim with mountain barbecue, Mills River's first Sweet Corn Festival kicked off on Saturday afternoon at the Mills River Community Center on School House Road.

Carolina Spring Band played bluegrass music as natives, newcomers and passersby joined together at the center for dinner and music.

Outside, Dr. Sow Sew and Clipper de Clown offered princess, pirate and camouflaged face painting while the Rev. Randall Boggs from Mills River Presbyterian Church prepared himself to be re-baptized in the dunk tank.

Alyssa Scotts, 25, and Charlie Johnson, 27, of Asheville said they were just driving through town when they decided to see what all of the "corn fest" signs were about.

“We just followed the signs here, and it's awesome," Scotts said.

The two said they were excited when they found good food and music.

Delores and Richmond Meadows, Mills River natives, said they came out to support their community and the center.

“I helped the original group of men when we started grubbing the old brush off of here with swing blades and axes and stuff in 1950,” Richmond Meadows said. “I helped build this building.”

When Richmond Meadows was 9 years old, he said, he helped clear the land around the center when it was being made into a youth center.

“For some years, it hadn't been used,” Meadows said. “This is the biggest crowd I've see over here in a long time.”

“It is good to see it being put to use,” his wife added with a smile. “I am glad to see it get some use. They use to hold the teen canteen here with square dance and stuff.”

Jollene Austin, president of the Community Development Association, said the turnout was awesome.

“The people that are here I've never seen before,” Austin said, adding that it was a good sign. “We have food for 300, so when it's gone it's gone.”

<p>MILLS RIVER -- With 15 bushels of corn and dishes filled to the brim with mountain barbecue, Mills River's first Sweet Corn Festival kicked off on Saturday afternoon at the Mills River Community Center on School House Road. </p><p>Carolina Spring Band played bluegrass music as natives, newcomers and passersby joined together at the center for dinner and music. </p><p>Outside, Dr. Sow Sew and Clipper de Clown offered princess, pirate and camouflaged face painting while the Rev. Randall Boggs from Mills River Presbyterian Church prepared himself to be re-baptized in the dunk tank. </p><p>Alyssa Scotts, 25, and Charlie Johnson, 27, of Asheville said they were just driving through town when they decided to see what all of the "corn fest" signs were about. </p><p>“We just followed the signs here, and it's awesome," Scotts said.</p><p>The two said they were excited when they found good food and music. </p><p>Delores and Richmond Meadows, Mills River natives, said they came out to support their community and the center.</p><p>“I helped the original group of men when we started grubbing the old brush off of here with swing blades and axes and stuff in 1950,” Richmond Meadows said. “I helped build this building.”</p><p>When Richmond Meadows was 9 years old, he said, he helped clear the land around the center when it was being made into a youth center. </p><p>“For some years, it hadn't been used,” Meadows said. “This is the biggest crowd I've see over here in a long time.”</p><p>“It is good to see it being put to use,” his wife added with a smile. “I am glad to see it get some use. They use to hold the teen canteen here with square dance and stuff.”</p><p>Jollene Austin, president of the Community Development Association, said the turnout was awesome. </p><p> “The people that are here I've never seen before,” Austin said, adding that it was a good sign. “We have food for 300, so when it's gone it's gone.”</p><p>___</p><p>Reach Bindewald at renee.bindewald@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7890.</p>